Control or regulation system

Abstract

A system for controlling or regulating, in particular motor vehicle functions, having at least two control units which are networked to one another via a databus, in which, in order to reduce the power consumption, the system can be placed entirely or only partially in specific power consumption states ( 1 to 6 ) in which control units operate with full power consumption ( 1 ) or in a power consumption state ( 2 to 6 ) in which the power consumption is reduced. At least one control unit has a control program with an interface via which data relating to the power consumption states ( 1 to 6 ) for the optimum execution of existing application programs can be transmitted to the control program either by a program within the control unit or by an external request, the control program having means for calculating the necessary power consumption state ( 1 to 6 ) for the control unit from the data, and switchover means being provided which, when necessary, change over the control unit from one power consumption state ( 1 to 6 ) into a different power consumption state ( 1 to 6 ).

1 . A system for controlling or regulating, in particular motor vehicle functions, having at least two control units which are networked to one another via a databus, in which, in order to reduce the power consumption, the system can be placed entirely or only partially in specific power consumption states ( 1  to  6 ) in which control units operate with full power consumption ( 1 ) or in a power consumption state ( 2  to  6 ) in which the power consumption is reduced, characterized in that a plurality of control units are each assigned a control program with an interface via which data relating to the power consumption states ( 1  to  6 ) for the optimum execution of existing application programs can be transmitted to the control program either by a program within the control unit or by an external request, each control program having means for calculating the necessary power consumption state ( 1  to  6 ) for the assigned control unit from the data, and in that switchover means are provided which, when necessary, change over the control unit from one power consumption state ( 1  to  6 ) into a different power consumption state ( 1  to  6 ).  
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the control program provides a hierarchy of power consumption states ( 1  to  6 ) which can be set, and, on the basis of the data transmitted to the interface, transmits information to the switchover means in order to set the lowest possible power consumption state ( 1  to  6 ) for a control unit.  
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that a power consumption state ( 2 ) in which external communication via the databus is disabled and a power consumption state ( 1 ) in which external communication is permissible can be set by means of the control program.  
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the control program can set a power consumption state ( 3 ) in which the processor clock of a control unit is reduced in comparison with operation at full load.  
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that the control program can set a power consumption state ( 4 ) in which the battery voltage (Vbat) is applied to the control unit, but the electronic voltage level (Vcc) is switched off.  
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the switchover means provide a delay between the request by the data at the interface up to the actual switchover process.  
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that different delays are provided as a function of the power consumption states which are set or requested.  
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that a power consumption state ( 1  to  6 ) can be predefined for the system and transmitted to the control units via the databus.